Over a year ago I got my first G-Shock watch. It’s a black gold combination for that classic look that can go with almost any get-up.
My first choice is a little on the conservative side, but it is beautiful. 🙂
Anyhow, my thinking then runs along the line that G-Shock watches are expensive (for me, not sure about your case 😀 ), and therefore I have to buy a model that I can use just about anywhere and can last me a long time. So classic black it was.
This is notwithstanding the fact that Casio’s G-Shock watches are supposed to stand out, boosted by its striking colors and designs. 🙂
SAVE then BUY
Just recently I got a new one, a few days’ shy of one-year anniversary from my first buy.
It took a long time to purchase a new one because I had to save for it. Branded watches are a luxury not really a necessity so funds must be consciously set aside for it. It’s got to have its own budget.
This last purchased was not a Baby G like my first one, but a full size limited edition G-Shock. A good looking one if I say so myself, a combination of light candy colors – orange case and strap, sky-blue face with white markers, and pink hand. Looks nice, eh? 😀
The alternative I was looking at was a newly release light green medium-size watch, almost a Baby G size.
How do you know if the G-Shock watch is a limited edition or not? The sales clerk told me that limited edition watches have the words “in4mation” stamped at back of the watch, on the metal plate as well as on the arm band.
If you want to be sure you can also check the limited-edition models at the official website of Casio. Here’s what the IN4MATION label looks like:
Sorry about the blurry pic :/
Read here about GSHOCK BATTERY REPLACEMENT – price and where to have it service or change.
I’ve been fascinated lately with the color orange, actually it’s orange and green. So it comes as no surprise to me when I grabbed the watch from the sales agent who was offering it to my husband. Titus has to find something else, for this one is mine, lol.
The colors spoke to me! What can I say?!
The fascinating thing about this computer watch is that this displays the temperature as well as the state of tide, there is a low tide and the high tide indicator.
This is aside from the usual time and date, diving depths capability, timer, shock resistance, etc.
We are going to Boracay for our wedding anniversary in two weeks’ time, so the tide indicator is handy yeyyy, hehe.
Special features of this G-Shock Limited Edition:
- Analog Tide Indicator
- Moon Data
- Temperature measurement
- Magnetic resistance
I got the special features from the website of Casio G-Shock, I don’t even know that this watch has a “moon data”. 😀
It also comes in a limited box / G-Shock tin can. Look:
G-Shock BOOTLEG, FAKES, OEM VERSIONS
A few months ago I remember my sister asking me about a cheaper version of G-Shock watches which were supposed to be manufactured by the same manufacturer of original G-Shock watches in Thailand. She asked me if they were legit or fake?
The price range of the G-Shock watches offered to her were from Php 1,200 to Php 1,500. The seller was saying it is cheaper because it is just a G-Shock OEM version, whatever that means.
According to the online seller, the watches are legit because it allegedly uses the same materials used in manufacturing original G-Shock watches, the equipment used to manufacture the OEM watches are also the same ones used for manufacturing legit Casio watches. That the Thailand plant producing the OEM versions is the same Casio factory that makes original watches.
But here’s the caveat, there’s no warranty, the backlight function may not work, the special functions are most likely non-existing, diving depths is not tested. In short, fake products.
Fake versus Real
My suggestion to my sister was that if she is willing to buy at a price of 1,500 pesos then she should just save more, wait a few months, and buy an original one in an accredited store.
The advantages are many. She will get one-year warranty on the watch, she is sure about the quality it being an original one, she can also rest easy knowing that all the special features will actually work as it should.
1,500 pesos is not that far from 3,995 which is the usual selling price of the entry-level G-Shock watches in the Philippines. Prices can even go down during a sale event!
I think she listened to my advise for she does not have a new watch yet.
I am a ‘watch girl’. Watches are the little accessories that I am willing to spend more working time so I can create a budget for it. And I am really liking G-Shock watches and Baby Gs more and more.
Will somebody give me one? Kidding, or not, haha.
Why buy originals? Warranty and Quality! Ciao!
~Cille
I believe your comparison with regard to the price is quite not accurate; 1500 vs 3500 for an entry level. Well, that’s for an entry level! Most OEMs or Replicas with a price of 1500 are to replicate high models with prices ranging from 8K to 12K.
1500 vs 12k.. I think, this is fine for individuals who can’t really afford a 12k watch. I believe that’s a good deal already. I used to have a 200 peso watch which I used for swimming, hiking and running and it serves me for more than 2 years.
It’s all about practicality.
Do you really think, big companies generates only a 2 to 3k profit per piece from a 12k gshock?
It is just the ego and pride that is talking among Ghsock legit owners! At the end of the day, we’re all just consumers and victims of opportunists and capitalists.
Hi Boyet, Thanks for your sharing your thoughts!
Ego and pride, well nah.. I don’t think so. I have G shock watches, but it’s not pride that drives me. I actually tried both Original and OEM kuno na yan, subjecting them to both levels of abuse as if treating them of the same level. The result? The original GA-100 lasted well until now except for few signs of resin color fade (it served me well since 2011); the OEM showed signs of resin rot in 6 months, and upon close scrutiny, some haze inside the watch crystal, in less than a year the steap of the OEM version kuno fell apart.
So, alam na agad na higher quality ang Orig. Not the pride. I am a little on your side Cille
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback and actual experience in using an original G-Shock watch and the far inferior fake / oem.
I meant *strap on the last comment. I have also made few discoveries last time, but it is a little hard to tell without pictures. I compared a GA-110RG model of both Orig and OEM kuno, the RG stands for rose gold as it is the rose gold model of the popular GA-110.
(Deviating a bit from the topic: yours is the GAx-100 right? I have the regular black edition of that as my main driver. It is derived from GA-100, X being the lide version. In a GA-100 the speed meter/ daresay tachymeter is on top of the analog dial while on the lide version it is on the top ir upper left and replaced by an analog tide indicator. On the GA-110 the speed meter is on the left. On a GA-150 the speed meter is on the lower right.)
Back to comparing both original and OEM(?) Versions of GA-110RG, exactly same functions, looks exactly the same, with the same tilt sensor for auto backlight, except
1. The strap is of thinner and inferior resin material
2. The watch crystal is not mineral glass, but some sort of resin glass with a somewhat anti scratch coating.
3. The hands are a bit off-color. The original e grayish white with rose gold tips, the OEM(?) Rose gold hands with white tip. [Corrected on Chris’ next comment: The original has Rose gold hands with white tip, while the OEM is grayish white with rose gold tips.]
4. Hindi pulido ang mga tatak sa back case hindi pantay, though they do indicate the exact codes and module number ng orig so you might really be fooled.
5. The movement. When you adjust the orig 1 or several hours before time, the hands of the original move in reverse to hit the correct time. In the OEM(?) the hand only moves forward, with a noticeable jerky move or sway.
6. Noticeable haze inside the glass after weather changes.
Hi Christopher,
Wow! You know your G-Shock! Salamat for sharing the more technical comparison, I learned a lot!
I actually don’t know if mine is GAx-100, sorry, hehhe. )
You can actually make an entirely new blog post with your knowledge and passion for G-Shock. I’d like to invite you to write any G-Shock related article on Penfires, would you be up for it? The article will be under your name of course. Let me know! 🙂
Would love to, one of these days when I am not busy with lessons. However I do make error sometimes, and that is Item no 3 of my orig vs fake comparison. I actually have the descriptions reversed, sorry sorry sorry… Sometimes I need to verify first or go over it before posting.
You also have passion for Baby G’s I see. Well good news for you, there is an exact model with very similar features to your GAX-100 in4mation model, let me introduce you Baby G BGA-225G!
It has the exact tide indicator and thermometer function like your GAX-100, in a more girly, feminine package..
If only I could post pictures in replies, I would have shown you the picture.
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Hi Chris, that’ll be awesome! No rush on the article! 🙂
And no worries on the error.
I googled the Baby G BGA-225G, looks cool esp the navy blue one!
(I keep checking the temp every time I used my orange one haha).
Followed you on FB 🙂